Banana Problem
 

Hi, I have been checking the progress of my newly planted banana. For some reason its developing these huge brown spots on it. The soil is moist and i gave it a little fertilzer. I dont know what's going on with it. Can someone help me? Thanks

Re: Banana Problem
 

Is it in a pot or in the ground? I recently had something like this happen to one of my potted bananas when it got too dry.

Re: Banana Problem
 

Its planted in the ground. The soil is clay, and I checked the top inch and it was still moist. It gets mostly sun and I planted it on the southern side of my house. I water it every other day when it gets really hot outside.

Re: Banana Problem
 

My soil is clay too less than 1ft down. I planted one of my Raja puri pups about a month ago. It was fine until we had a big rain. I saw it laying down outside the window and went to go check on it. The whole plant was mush. I'm going to be redoing it as a raised bed. It was mostly brown for about a week before it just died.

Re: Banana Problem
 

It was fine when I got it. It started doing this a little over a week ago. I hope it doesnt die. Ewitte do you think thats whats wrong with mine. The soil has a little sandy loam in it, and I put composted cow manure and mulched it. I hope the sun isnt killing it =(

Re: Banana Problem
 

All I know is standing water can kill them fast. I doubt it is the sun I replanted serveral of my container ones in the last few months and there were lots of 100F days. The one I got from Phoenix looked pretty bad and now on its 5th leaf in about 6 weeks.

Re: Banana Problem
 

How do i know if im watering it too much. Are there any signs that I should watch for?

Re: Banana Problem
 

The new leaf looks ok in the pic. Is the plant growing? I would say it had some transplant shock and should be fine.

Re: Banana Problem
 

Yes but its growing very slowly. It had a new leaf open 2 weeks ago and the new ones now are slowly trying to open. I hope it recovers, it was a little sickly when i got it. Is there anything I can do to help it recover more? I have been wetting the leaves when its really hot outside. Thanks gadget

Re: Banana Problem
 

do not think that wetting the leafs helps, it amplifies the sun. It is good that you are giving it water at the heat of the day just not the leafs. If the new leaf is burning it needs more water or is sitting in water. Maybe dig a hole next to the banana and see how deep it is wet or if it is to wet. Most of my plants look like this when newly planted so you could be doing everything right, you just need time for it to grow.

Re: Banana Problem
 

Ok I will dig a hole tomorrow. The soil is clay so i could be giving it too much water. Thanks again Gadget

Re: Banana Problem
 

Clay soil can hold water a long time, I agree with the person that suggested a raised bed for your naner. With the clay soil, don't dig a hole and add a bunch of amendments--you are making a pot without a drain hole. One exception to that--if you have a hill or slope so that you can dig a hole that water would run out--then you can mix organic matter with the clay and fill the hole--that works real well.

Re: Banana Problem
 

Sbl is it alright to dig it up again? Should I move it to a big pot instead? I dont want to lose this plant because its my only fruiting type. I added some organic fertilizer and some composted cow manure, is it still too late to correct the problem? Thanks

Re: Banana Problem
 

If you dug a hole in clay and added amendments--it is only too late to get it out of that situation if it is dead--that is a death trap for any plant except water lillies. I would put it in a pot for now--that way you can get it thru the winter without additional disturbance.

Re: Banana Problem
 

Ok, I will dig it up and put it in a pot then. I always thought that adding organic matter would loosen up the soil. Well this is a learning experience, I just hope it isnt dying. Thanks again Sbl

Re: Banana Problem
 

It does loosen the soil and it is wonderful for your bananas-- if there is drainage. The problem you have is the clay soil around the part you amended will not let the water drain out--so it sits there and rots the roots of the plants--once the roots begin to rot the symptoms are the same as drought--causing you to water even more. When you dig it up you will find the soil is very sour--probably stinks--no oxygen.

But again--if you can design a hole that has drainage--like on a slope, that clay soil is very rich in minerals and will do well.

Re: Banana Problem
 

I guess I will move it in a pot, i have this pretty good sized pot that I can use. It has a lot of organic material ans it drains pretty good. I will have to try that because my whole yard is clay. The strange thing is that some of the clay soil drains fairly fast but it has very little organic matter and it has a high pH.

Re: Banana Problem
 

If you have an area where the hole you dig--if you fill it with water--will drain completely in a short time (less than an hr), then you could probably mix some organic matter into the soil and plant there. The kind of clay I am used to (in NC)--would still be full tomorrow. In any case I would dig your plant up and check the roots--that is probably where your problem is.

Re: Banana Problem
 

I'm probably going to just put it in a pot, and let it recover. It seems too high maintenance and i dont have much money to spend on anymore soil amendments lol.

Re: Banana Problem
 

it is okay to plant in clay, just do not add amendments, make sure it drains, add lots of compost and mulch to the surface. hope it works out for you.

Re: Banana Problem
 

Thanks Gadget. I guess I will have to plant it in a pot that I have. The soil around here is terrible anyways and most of my plants are in containers lol. I really appreciate all the help.

Re: Banana Problem
 

I think this is the same problem you are having. This was caused by our recent hot weather. the plant is in a pot and only watered twice a week so I don't think it is from wet soil. I think your plant is adjusting and it will be fine where it is. Maybe give it a little shade for awhile. My inground plants are in heavy clay soil and they all do fine.

Re: Banana Problem
 

I wish I knew how to provide more shade for it. What would I use to protect it from the sun? Do you have alot of your banana plants in containers?

Re: Banana Problem
 

I have about fifty in containers , only because I don't have any more places to plant them.
A few stakes in the ground and a piece of cloth is all you need.

Re: Banana Problem
 

Wow fifty containers!? Thats alot of plants, and maintenance lol. I didnt think of using a cloth thats a great idea. Is it too late to shade it now?

Re: Banana Problem
 

I will not say the problem is not heat, but just a word of caution-overwatering symptoms are the same as the symptoms you get from lack of water because the ultimate result is the same--the plant is not getting the water it needs.

With clay soil, you are better off planting directly in the clay--without amendments --and many plants will do just fine. It is good to put mulch on top of the ground, but if you add it to the soil in the planting hole, it will allow the hole to trap a lot of water and can cause root rot.

Re: Banana Problem
 

When I had it in its previous location that was when I added alot of cow manure and fertilizer, but the new location now alot of the amendments got left behind, but I still tried to get as much as I could. I have mulch on top of the plant but only a thin layer. Someone told me to add grass clippings, should I avoid using them? I dont have any containers or any other places to move it, it gets full sun so the water dries up better than the previous area. Should I add sand to make it drain better?

Re: Banana Problem
 

I use grass clippings all the time --they are very good. Sand will not help--it will not be as bad as organic matter, but the shade suggestion is a good idea. There is a shade cloth material sold in garden centers.

Re: Banana Problem
 

OK. So its alright to use grass clippings now? I need to try the shade idea, but I will have to use sheets because im low on cash right now lol. Thanks sbl

Re: Banana Problem
 

Any update on this? Is the banana doing any better?

Re: Banana Problem
 

Yes the Orinoco looks a lot better especially since its been cooler. Both of the new leaves opened up and I looked closer and saw 2 more leaves starting to sprout from those. I guess it needed a break from the heat and the sun lol. I trimmed off some of the dead parts, and I havent seen anymore parts getting sunburned. It looks happier and the temps will be in the 80s this whole week so I'm thankful for that, and I'm sure banana plant is thankful also. =) I will take pictures of it when it dries up more. Thanks Bryan

Re: Banana Problem
 

This is the updated photos of the Orinoco. Its been cooler and wetter so the leaves are growing fast. The new leaves on it now only took 3 days to get to the point where they are now.

Re: Banana Problem
 

Thanks for the update! They look a LOT better! Glad to see they perked up. I've gotta ask...why are they so close together?

Re: Banana Problem
 

Thanks Bryan. The cool weather helped alot. When I bought it, I thought it was one whole plant. I didn't know anything about pups, and thats how it was when I bought it. I think its too late to separate it lol.

Re: Banana Problem
 

Glad to see it is coming around--and you didn't have to pot it.

Re: Banana Problem
 

Im so glad i didnt have to repot it lol. I have been adding some coffee grounds and grass clippings to the soil around it. Its been raining quite a bit around here and it hasnt had a chance to dry out, but I think it should be ok. Well hopefully it will continue to grow more and hopefully the root system will get stronger before winter.